AMATO TAKES THE POSITIVES FROM 07-08 SEASON

Victorian Sprintcar racer Simon Amato has walked away with a positive vibe from season 2007-2008 after the second half of the season was much brighter than the first half of the season for the ABC Realestate Racing team.

Early in the season Amato had a couple of promising qualifying results in local SRA competition, but a niggling motor drama played havoc with the week by week racing preparation.

For nine weeks the ABC Realestate Sprintcar Racing team was sidelined while the motor was pulled apart.

“We were out of action for nine weeks, it was quite a while,” said Amato.

“John Sidney had a thorough look and there were two faulty injectors, as well as a hairline crack in a cylinder head,” he continued.

The second half of the season was much better for Amato once the motor was rectified and the problems put behind them. In twelve race meetings they failed to finish the final twice.

“Once the motor was sorted it was the best it has ever ran and we came away with some consistent performances that were pleasing,” said Simon.

On the fast Sungold Stadium in Warrnambool for the third night of the Easter Sprintcar Trail, Amato was on the pace qualifying in fifth place for the final to eventually finish in tenth place.

“To qualify fifth in a classy field for the final was a good achievement and showed that we can be on the pace, hopefully next season we can do that on a weekly basis and move forward in the finals.

“We made some vital changes to the car set-up towards the end of the season which helped massively in our results and on track pace,” Amato said.

Amato was also pleased with his results at Adelaide’s Speedway City: “The times we raced in Adelaide we finished inside the top ten, I really enjoy Speedway City.”

The main frustration to come out of season 2007-2008 was the lack of track time, with Amato only hitting the racetrack 14 times.

“The season before we did over 30 shows, so to half that and only do 14 was disappointing but it was out of our control. We were in the wrong place at the wrong time at the start of the season unfortunately,” he said.

Next season is also shaping up as a big one for the team who have obtained a 360 motor to race in the All Stars Series.

“We will race in both open and 360 racing which is quite exciting for us, hopefully we can not have any niggling motor dramas and just concentrate on the end result,” he said.

The first priority for Amato is to sign deals with his current and prospective sponsors for 2008-2009.

“Everyone has been fantastic and hopefully we can retain them going forward, I’ll be working hard over the next few weeks to do that,” he said.

“Firstly I would like to thank Mick and Kathy Hollingsworth from ABC Realestate.com.au for their fantastic support for the past three seasons. Frank Amato from Power Loan financial services. Alan and Jenny Berridge from Summa Auto Parts. Geoff and Julie-Ann Kile from Gantek Transport and Distribution,
Leading Car Care Centre and Dyno-mite Performance.

Also to the Hard working crew of Dion Amato (crew chief),Tim Gray (truck driver), Rob Talbot (parts relocation), Frank Amato (observer and cleaner), Chris Talbot (mud scraper), Jason Hicks (Quad bike rider and canteen taste tester). My partner Kate Searle for her support, race team preparation and merchandise manager. And finally to our 4 children Lauree, Mahnie, Riley, Tylah and Emily my niece for not complaining about the miles we travel and cheering us on” Simon said. 
 
ABC Realestate Racing would like to thank the following sponsors for their support throughout season 2007-2008: ABC Realestate, Power Loan, Summa Auto Parts, Mainline DynoLog Dynamometers, Leading Car Care Centre, Dyno-Mite Performance, Red Ed’s Sheds, Gantek and VACC.